About the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana

The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) is a private, non-profit fair housing organization incorporated in August, 2011. The FHCCI was established through a U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development grant awarded to the National Fair Housing Alliance to establish a fair housing agency in central Indiana. Following its founding, staff were recruited and hired and the FHCCI went to full staff in January, 2012. The FHCCI received its IRS non-profit status in January, 2012.

Mission: The mission of the Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) is to ensure equal housing opportunities by eliminating housing discrimination through advocacy, enforcement, education and outreach.

Vision: The Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana (FHCCI) recognizes the importance of “home” and envisions a country free of housing discrimination where every individual, group and community enjoys equal housing opportunity and access in a bias-free and open housing market. We envision a country where integrated neighborhoods are the norm, and private and public sectors guarantee civil rights in an open and barrier-free community committed to healing the history of discrimination in America.

The FHCCI provides education to promote fair housing and investigates allegations of housing discrimination. Our goals are to eradicate housing discrimination through community education, encouragement of public involvement, assistance to those experiencing housing discrimination, and support of individuals and organizations seeking equal opportunity in housing. Fair Housing Specialists are also available to counsel both home seekers and housing providers on their rights and responsibilities under fair housing laws. Meet the Staff »

Fair Housing Laws

Housing discrimination in the sale, financing or rental of housing and/or housing related services is unlawful if based upon:

• Race (any race)
• Color (any color)
• Religion
• National Origin (any nationality)
• Gender (sex – includes gender identity)
• Familial Status (presence of children under 18 in the family or women who are pregnant or adults attempting to secure custody of children)
• Disability (handicap)
• Ancestry (Indiana state law only)
• Age, Sexual Orientation, Military Service Veteran Status (Indianapolis/Marion County ordinance only)

What are the possible signs?

• Charging additional rent or deposits because someone needs an animal to assist them with their disability.
• Advertisements, signs or flyers which state “no children,” “no minorities,” or “Hispanics Need Not Apply.”
• Limiting the number of children in a complex or confining them to a specific location or floor.
• Being propositioned for sex in exchange for rent or deposits and/or inappropriate comments.
• Requiring Muslims to pay for criminal background checks but not requiring of other religions, races or nationalities.
• Refusing to rent to a person using a wheelchair for fear a unit might be damaged.
• Steering minority homeowners to sections of the city where other minorities live or telling white home seekers to stay out of some areas.
• Tenancy rules are enforced for some residents but not others.
• Lack of accessibility in a newly constructed multi-family building.